Sabres News

NOTEBOOK: MAIR CLEARED

Adam Mair has officially been cleared to play according Head Coach Lindy Ruff.

The 30-year-old forward missed the entire preseason due to arthroscopic hip surgery, although has been practicing for the last three weeks with the team.

“He could play. That’s the encouraging part,” Ruff said. “He had some conversations with his doctors in New York and his doctors here and he’s cleared to play.”UPDATE: OCT. 8, 11:15 A.M. - Lindy Ruff said although Mair is cleared, he will not play in Thursday's game against the Coyotes. (10/8- Lindy Ruff Interview)

If Mair rejoins the roster (he currently carries non-roster status as he did not pass his preseason physical) the Sabres would be over the League limit with 24 players.

However, Ruff said no moves would have to be made just yet with defenseman Toni Lydman still recovering from a hand injury.

Thomas Vanek’s official website interviewed agent Steve Bartlett. The Q&A offered a few anecdotes about the winger, including Vanek getting his New York State driver’s license.

From thomasvanek.at:

“It usually takes at least a month. Somehow Thomas figured out a way to set the world record for the fastest license. From the time he set down to get the application and the time he actually got the license was like 48 hours. He had to take a 6 hour course, he had to do all these things and he did it just like that. I went with him to the driving test and he passed immediately.

“Nobody will ever get the license faster. Because you had to guess a code on the computer or had to wait at least to wait 2 weeks to get that code. But Thomas simply guessed the code by playing around on the keyboard.”

The Sabres received a team blessing prior to the start of practice. Father John Sturm JS from St. Michael’s Church – the official chaplain of the Buffalo Sabres for the last five years – said a few words to the players as they begin the 2009-10 season. Father Sturm is the former Prefect of Discipline at Canisius High School and has been featured in Tim Russert’s book Big Russ and Me.

Fans attending Thursday’s game against Phoenix will receive a free magnet schedule for the 2009-10 season. Tickets are still available. Click here for more information.